How to Obtain a Weed Free Cottage Garden

O.k. now my friends, I am not a professional gardener, so this advice is just what I have found works for me.

I am happy to say however that at our previous home our garden was featured in local garden tours three different times.  Once it was the main article in a local paper about one of the tours.

Many times friends and family ask, “do you ever have a weed in your garden?”  lol!  Of course I do, every now and then.  But these tips will help give your garden the appearance that you don’t.

My gardens are still young and will evolve over time.

Now, I know what you are thinking, “Oh she probably never did have any weeds and she doesn’t work so of course it’s easy to maintain”.

Now about the weeds.  Our home was built in ‘2007’.  We purchased it in ‘2009’.  The owners had put the rock wall in, but no yard.  The entire area was full of weeds.  In fact two of my friends came and helped me pull out the puncture weeds.  They were everywhere and they were kind enough to want to help me stop the spread.

It was work getting rid of all of the weeds at first.  My hubby said, “let’s just Round up the entire area.  I said, “No, let me pull a little at a time”.  That’s what I did, I would water a section the night before and then get out and pull.  This was where we were going to have flower beds.  I didn’t worry about where there would be grass.

I no longer work, but did for many years.  Yet, in all three of my homes I have been able to maintain a lovely garden.  Although I must admit, gardening is therapy for me.  When I came home from work I found that if I spent a half an hour in the garden.  Even if it was just deadheading I felt rejuvenated.

Now for those tips:

1.  Get Out.

It’s VERY important that you get out early and pull any small weeds that might have survived the Winter.  You want to get them out before they have time to germinate and for the seeds to spread.

Because I have been doing this for a few years, I rarely even have any weeds.

I might mention that I have never used Preen.  Bought a large container once, thinking that I might need it here.  Never did use it and ended up giving it to my oldest son.

Get out as soon as the ground can be worked.  It has been nice here the last few days and I spent 2-3 hrs.  Sat. and Monday.  I’ll be back out there this afternoon.  This is still doable even if you only have the weekends.

2.  Clean Out

Clean out all of that Winter debris.  Weeds like to hide underneath.  Often people will say, “what if it snows again?”  Believe me, here in UT it’s a guarantee that it will snow again!  They are perennials and it won’t hurt them a bit.  Just gives them a well needed drink before the sprinklers are turned on.

3.  Plant heavily.

I plant my perennials quite close.  It’s nice if you follow the rule of planting them in three’s.  Sometimes I want a plant to be a pop of color and just plant one.  Also, if it’s too expensive and you can’t afford three.  Leave some of the seed heads and you will have three (probably more) before you know it.

An empty area is an area that says, “welcome weeds”.

4. Use groundcovers.

Take advantage of these great plants that fill a space in quickly.  I always chuckle when someone talks about a ground cover ‘taking over’.  Well, after all; they aren’t called ground covers for nothing. lol!

Don’t worry when the ground cover spreads.  Your perennials will still pop up through them.

This is that same area early Spring.  I cut everything way back.  I always think it looks like I have too much yard art in the Spring.  As soon as the flowers start popping up I love how it looks!

4.  Save seeds to spread for extra pops of color and take advantage of self sowing annuals.

  I always let my Morning Glory vine winter over and then I pull the vine and crush the seed pods during Spring clean up.  I sprinkle both Zinnias and Marigold seeds that I save from year to year.

5.  Use mulch.  Notice that my rose garden is fairly new.  A layer of mulch keeps the weeds down until the roses reach maturity.

Every person is different, but I don’t care for weed guard or wood chips.  I hate how the weed guard breaks apart, pulls up and shows.  Also, I find that weeds are still able to push through.  My youngest son used it in one area and loves it.

Wood chips are pretty when they are new, plus they smell nice.  But I hate how they look when they become faded

6.  Create garden rooms.

By doing this you can add fun yard art to help fill up the space.  Also, it’s important to not have more flower beds than you are able to maintain.  Less pretty beds is much nicer than a lot of weedy beds.

*If you find that you really don’t have the time to get out and do Spring clean up.  I suggest you hire someone to do it for you.  Really, it will make such a difference!

Although it’s a lot of work for me in the Spring, while others are fighting weeds all summer long, I just sit back and enjoy the view.

I do suggest you strolling the garden weekly, dead heading, cutting back spent perennials. (unless you want them to spread), and pulling that occasional weed.

I actually do this every morning.  That is, when I am not gallivanting or have something on the agenda.  Remember, it’s therapy for me.

It always amazes me that in just a couple of months this: (picture of my shade and herb garden taken after clean up on Sat.)

becomes this!

I hope that I have given you some good advice.  I know that many of you are fabulous gardeners. 

I’d love to hear any great garden tips you might have.

hugs,

Jann

I want to thank Linda from Coastal Charm for featuring My New Hang Up at her Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Party!

I will be sharing with these lovely parties:

Savvy Southern Style for WOW

Lavender Garden Cottage for Cottage Style Party

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

Common Ground for Be Inspired

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays

Shabby Art Boutique for Shabbilicious Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Natasha in Oz for g'day Saturday